It’s normal to feel a range of emotions during treatment, including sadness or anxiety. You could find yourself feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. You might have constant concerns about cancer, treatments, your survival or your family. Or, you might think the same thoughts over and over, finding it hard to concentrate or sleep.

As you move forward, uncomfortable feelings will probably come and go, then lessen and, at some point, should go away. This may not always be the case, so it’s important for you to recognize when your reactions are normal and when they may be more intense than you might expect. Depression and anxiety are often serious medical conditions that can be treated effectively.

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

If you feel very anxious, your worries about breast cancer might intrude on other areas of your life that feel unrelated.

You have trouble falling or staying asleep or wake up feeling as if you have not slept well.

You don’t have to have all of these symptoms to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

It’s understandable for you to feel sadness over cancer and cancer treatment. You may feel you will always be “stuck” where you are, that certain parts of breast cancer and treatment will be constants in your life. You may have trouble sleeping, or find yourself sleeping too much. In day-to-day life, you might be irritable, impatient or, on the other hand, numb and slow to react to emotional situations.

Not all people who feel sad are depressed, but if your thoughts and feelings of sadness begin to interfere with your daily life, a trained mental health provider might diagnose depression.

Some people have major depression during the course of treatment. Different from a few days of feeling “down” or “blue,” major depression means your sadness lasts for weeks or months. It can interfere severely with your daily living and quality of life. If you are feeling this way, talk with your doctor or a therapist to find out if counseling or medicine to help your mood and functioning may be right for you.

Keep in mind that that you don’t have to have all or most of these symptoms to be diagnosed with depression.

What Causes Anxiety and Depression?

Many of the symptoms of depression and anxiety are directly caused by breast cancer treatment, but may also point to an underlying anxiety or mood disorder. Knowing the difference is difficult, but your care team will be able to help.

How Can I Manage Anxiety or Depression?

If you feel anxious or depressed, the most important first step is to let your healthcare team know how you feel. They can help you get the treatment you need to help with anxiety, depression, or both. Some of the approaches they might recommend include:

Connecting online or by phone with others who have breast cancer, who are having experiences similar to yours

If You Feel That Life Is Not Worth Living

If you are feeling hopeless and helpless and think you are in danger of hurting yourself, we strongly encourage you to call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. This free hotline, a service of Mental Health America, is staffed with trained counselors day and night. Call right away if you:

Have thoughts of wanting to hurt or kill yourself

Are looking for ways to kill yourself

Also call if you have these symptoms that lead some people to want to end their lives and increase the risk for suicide:

You feel hopeless, can’t control your anger or feel as if there is no way out.

You are doing more risky things.

You are using alcohol or drugs more often and too much.

You have extreme mood changes.

You tend to isolate yourself from friends and loved ones.

You lose your sense of purpose in life.

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